Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

As you may know, after an overwhelming number of heartfelt submissions, Henryville High School in Indiana was chosen as the winner of Lady Antebellum‘s Prom Contest. Charles, Hillary and Dave were so moved by this community’s story that they have decided to put on a charity event to raise money and help rebuild Henryville! Tickets to the Rebuilding Henryville Charity Ball on May 16th in Louisville, Kentucky are set to go on sale Friday (April 27th) at 10am through Ticketmaster.  All ticket sale proceeds will go to the Tornado Relief Efforts in Henryville, Indiana. 

The members of Lady A enjoyed their individual high school proms, complete with DJs and dancing. “I remember my first prom being very nervous, and I got all dressed up [in] a nice little tux, first time I ever wore a tux, and it was very exciting,” recalls Charles. He and Dave Haywood both attended the same high school down in Georgia, and Dave remembers his fellow band member and friend taking charge of the tunes. “We had a DJ at ours,” says Dave. “I think Charles probably got over there and DJ’d a couple of Toni Braxton songs or something at some point in time.” Too bad Charles didn’t DJ Hillary’s prom, but she hit the dance floor nonetheless. “One of my memories of high school prom was ‘The Cupid Shuffle,’” she remembers. “Any of those dances where everybody gets out on the dance floor and just has a blast with, that’s honestly what I remember; that and ‘The Electric Slide.’” 

Lady A are closing in on the top of the country charts with a “prom-worthy” song, “Dancin’ Away With My Heart.” As a matter of fact, high school junior Lauren Alaina found a creative way to enjoy her own prom weekend, even though she’s on the road opening for Sugarland. During her set in Louisville on April 14th, Lauren plucked a dance partner out of the audience and made everyone at the show slow dance to “Dancin’ Away With My Heart.” “Tonight was my prom at home,” Alaina revealed before the song. “So, I’m going to have prom here right now!”

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley talks about his first prom. 

Lady A (Charles prom) OC: …that night. :13

“I remember my first prom being very nervous, and I got all dressed up [in] a nice little tux, first time I ever wore a tux, and it was very exciting. I didn’t rock the top hat, but [I] looked sharp that night.” 

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood talks about his high school prom. 

Lady A (Dave prom) OC: …point in time. [Hillary laughs] :15

“I’m just happy somebody said yes to go with me to prom, so I was happy to be there. Yeah, a lot of great memories. We had a DJ at ours – Charles and I were in the same class back in Augusta, Georgia – and had a great time. I think Charles probably got over there and DJ’d a couple of Toni Braxton songs or something at some point in time.” [Hillary laughs] 

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott recalls a memory of her high school prom. 

Lady A (Hillary prom) OC: …Electric Slide. :16

“One of my memories of high school prom was ‘The Cupid Shuffle.’ We might try our best to cover it. No, I’m just kidding. [laughs] I don’t think we could cover a very good version of ‘The Cupid Shuffle.’ But any of those dances where everybody gets out on the dance floor and just has a blast with, that’s honestly what I remember; that and ‘The Electric Slide.’”

Eric Church’s latest single, “Springsteen,” is a huge hit, and fans are relating to the song, which explains that a song, a concert or a particular artist takes a person back to a moment in time. While Eric certainly looks up to Bruce Springsteen and enjoys his music, he’s not saying whether or not the inspiration behind the song is actually The Boss. “I’ll never say…’cause that’s mine, you know? I’m always, I’m gonna keep that artist. I’ve never said it wasn’t [Bruce] Springsteen, I just never said it was,” he says with a laugh. “I mean, it could be [Bob] Seger, it could be [John] Mellencamp, it could be a number of artists that became the soundtrack to that point, to that moment in time. And I want everybody to be able to apply it. I mean, the title of the song is ‘Springsteen,’ but what I love about it is it’s not a tribute song. It’s not about Springsteen. It’s about that artist, whatever that artist is, becoming the soundtrack for the love or the person you’re with.”

Catch Eric performing live on this year’s ACM Awards, where he’s up for both Album of the Year for Chief and Video of the Year for “Homeboy.” The 47th Annual ACM Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1st beginning at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

AUDIO: While his latest hit “Springsteen” is based on personal experience, Eric Church says he’s not revealing whether Bruce Springsteen’s music is behind the inspiration of the song; the North Carolina native wants the tune to apply to everyone.

Eric Church (not revealing song inspiration) OC: …you’re with. :34

“I’ll never say…’cause that’s mine, you know? I’m always, I’m gonna keep that artist. I’ve never said it wasn’t [Bruce] Springsteen, I just never said it was. [laughs] So, I think it allows it to be, everybody has a different artist. I mean, it could be Seger, it could be Mellencamp, it could be a number of artists that became the soundtrack to that point, to that moment in time. And I want everybody to be able to apply it. I mean, the title of the song is ‘Springsteen,’ but what I love about it is it’s not a tribute song. It’s not about Springsteen. It’s about that artist, whatever that artist is, becoming the soundtrack for the love or the person you’re with.”

Alan Jackson will re-release his 2006 gospel album, Precious Memories, on Tuesday, March 27th. He originally recorded the album for his mother and his wife’s mother, who had been pleading for him to put together an entire gospel collection. What prompted him to finally do it was when he recorded a song for the funeral of Denise’s father. “I went in with just a piano and sang it, just real quick for this service, and it was ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.’ That recording’s on the album. We used that same one. We didn’t rerecord it, so it’s the one we did for his funeral,” Alan recalls. “So, anyway, after they heard that, her mother, Denise and my mother and everybody was on me then to do a whole album, so finally I ran in [the studio] and just kind of threw this thing together.”

Precious Memories includes many gospel favorites, such as “I’ll Fly Away,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Softly and Tenderly,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “How Great Thou Art.”

At the time of the album’s release, GAC-TV broadcast a special concert from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The one-hour special, which features personal interviews with Alan, his wife and mother, will re-air beginning Sunday at 8pm ET and running through March 28th at 10am ET.

The country superstar is currently making his way up the country charts with his latest hit, “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore.”

AUDIO: During the time he first released Precious Memories, Alan Jackson explains why he put together a gospel album.

AJ (Precious Memories) OC: …together. :55

“My mom had probably been asking me to record this had to be [laughs] ever since I started making records, probably early ‘90s, I guess. I don’t remember. But every now and then, you know, ‘I wish you’d make a gospel album.’ And so, and I wanted to do a gospel album. I love that music and just looking for an opportunity or just making myself do it, I guess. But what motivated me was my wife’s father passed away, and Denise asked me to record a song for his funeral. I went in with just a piano and sang it, just real quick for this service, and it was ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.’ That recording’s on the album. We used that same one. We didn’t rerecord it, so it’s the one we did for his funeral. So, anyway, after they heard that, her mother, Denise and my mother and everybody was on me then to do a whole album, so finally I ran in [the studio] and just kind of threw this thing together.”

Luke Bryan‘s new “Drunk on You” video is the continuation of his “I Don’t Want This Night to End” clip, in which he meets a mysterious and beautiful blonde, who is played by actress Cameron Richardson (Entourage, Harper’s Island), at a bonfire party when he’s home from the road. After getting to know each other and possibly falling in love, she disappears the next day. Luke promised to leave a ticket for her at his next show, and after two months, he’s still leaving a ticket for her at every show, but she is a “no-show.” Check out what happens at the end of the “Drunk on You” clip in it’s VEVO video premiere!

Luke Bryan’s tailgates & tanlines has climbed back to No. 1 on the country album chart. The collection sold another 17,300 copies to land in the top spot, and it’s now approaching platinum status. Luke wants his fans to know – which they probably do by now – that his third album is more than just a series of party songs. “I think what’s important to be able to do those fun songs, but then to hit fans with a big thought song that really gets ‘em,” the Georgia native explains. “People want to come and have a good time, and I think that’s what you need to do with your albums. You can’t overload your album with it, but you certainly need it for the live show.” 

• Luke is currently scaling the country singles charts with “Drunk on You,” the latest smash from tailgates & tanlines.
• Luke is currently on the road with pal Jason Aldean and the My Kinda Party Tour.
• Luke is scheduled to perform on next month’s ACM Awards, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 1st beginning at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

AUDIO: Luke Bryan says his album, tailgates & tanlines, is more than just a collection of party songs.

Luke Bryan (more than a party) OC: …live shows. :26

 “I think it has serious stuff too. It’s a deeper deal too than just a party. I mean, I think what’s important to be able to do those fun songs but then to hit fans with a big thought song that really gets ‘em. People want to come and have a good time and I think that what you need to do with your albums. You can’t overload your album with it but you certainly need it for the live show and want it to happen in the live shows.”

LADY ANTEBELLUM MAKES PLANS TO “OWN PROM NIGHT” WITH TORNADO RAVAGED

HENRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AND ITS COMMUNITY

 Nashville, TN – March 20, 2012 – Three weeks ago, GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum began a contest offering fans a chance to OWN THE NIGHT with a private concert at their prom this spring. After carefully reviewing each submission, the trio unanimously chose the community of Henryville, IN for their story, resilience and unity following devastating tornados earlier this month. Not only was their own submission moving, but schools across the country spontaneously submitted videos campaigning on behalf of Henryville High School to receive the special concert, including the winning submission by Silver Creek High School.
 
For a video message reveal of the winner from Lady A, click here: http://ladyantebellum.com/news/lady-makes-plans-own-prom-night-henryville-high-school 
 
To watch Silver Creek High School’s winning video submission on behalf of Henryville High School, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2ZYCkhF7tY

Due to a previously scheduled commitment, the trio won’t be able to make Henryville High School’s scheduled prom. In lieu of a performance at their official celebration, the band has decided to throw a bigger event on May 16 in nearby Louisville, KY for the school’s Juniors and Seniors followed by a benefit for the community. Details for all arrangements will be shared over the next few days as they are confirmed on www.ladyantebellum.com.

Eric Paslay is beginning to hit the airwaves with what will be one of the summer’s hottest songs, “If the Fish Don’t Bite,” the latest single from his forthcoming EMI Nashville album. He’s also on the charts with another song, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which was recorded by the Eli Young Band, who he’s been opening for on the road. He co-wrote the song with singer-songwriter Will Hoge, who is a favorite among artists. Eric says “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” also seems to be a favorite of musicians, as well. “I think the majority of the people that tell me they love it are the musicians or the entertainers, because it’s so much about what we do,” says Eric. “It’s like, ‘Keep on dreaming, even if it breaks your heart.’ If you let it, it could break your heart every day from the yeses and the nos and the ‘you’re not good enough, and now you are and you should’ve done,’ whatever it is.”

Eric Paslay (Even If It Breaks Your Heart) OC: …just music. :43

“I wrote ‘Even If It Breaks Your Heart’ with Will Hoge, who’s an artist in Nashville, and that song actually was released [first] on Triple A radio. I think the majority of the people that tell me they love it are the musicians or the entertainers, because it’s so much about what we do. It’s like, ‘Keep on dreaming, even if it breaks your heart.’ If you let it, it could break your heart every day from the yeses and the nos and the ‘you’re not good enough, and now you are and you should’ve done,’ whatever it is. I think being in the entertainment industry, you make it more vulnerable. You just make sure you put your heart and soul into it, but make sure you realize it’s just music too. It IS music, but it’s just music.”

Eric Paslay (EYB) OC: …free T-shirt. :36

“I met all the guys in [the] Eli Young Band on the [Country] Throwdown Tour, and they’re Texas guys and all this and that. So, all my relatives down there are ‘Eli Young, Eli Young,’ and it was before they’d really blown up huge on the radio yet. And I got to hang out with him and they were…asking me about Will Hoge. They love Will Hoge’s records. I mean, he’s just great. There are those artists that inspire other artists, which is awesome, but it’s interesting certain artists that inspire creative people too. And they just love Will Hoge’s stuff, and they recorded that song and I’m glad they did. [Mike Eli] is sending me a free T-shirt.”